newbie: straight to disc questions

[aldo12xu]

I'm giving MF6plus a trial run and am not sure if the following is related to trial version functionality.

I want to burn straight to disc 3 clips (10, 15, 30 minutes each) and have each clip appear as menu thumbnails, editing the text on each thumbnail. Here's what I seem to be limited to or can't figure out how to get past.

1. After I capture the first clip and hit stop, the only options seem to be to finalize the disc. I don't seem to have the option to continue capturing the other two clips. If I do get to capture additional clips, will they automatically be added to the menu?

2. I can customize the menu template, but when the captured video clip is added to the menu, it's labeled as "Video 1". How & where do I edit the name or specify the name/title I want to use?

3. My 16:9 widescreen source footage is getting squeezed upon capture. Can I have the 16:9 video appear letterboxed instead?

4. Do I have to indicate the duration of the capture at the top of the project page? When would I use that function?

Thanks in advance,
Aldo.

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums,

First I don't use the "wizards" much in any of Corel/Ulead programs, especially the Straight to disc. I have segments that need to be cut out and the wizard will not allow the editing. I think the Straight to Disc wizard is meant to be used when you are going to burn the entire tape onto DVD or you know the exact duration that you want to burn.

4. Do I have to indicate the duration of the capture at the top of the project page? When would I use that function?

This is in my opinion an annoying feature. If I want to specify a duration then I will, if not I just want to press the capture to start and stop when I want. I've noticed that if no duration is specified you get the prompt telling you the max duration that can be captured on your drive. Then if you choose not to set the default duration to that it cancels the capture. Again this would be best used if capturing the entire tape or a known duration.

3. My 16:9 widescreen source footage is getting squeezed upon capture. Can I have the 16:9 video appear letterboxed instead

Click on the Gear looking icon in the lower left (Project Settings). In the dialog window that opens you can change the Aspect Ratio from 4:3 to 16:9. I suspect it is set at 4:3 by default.

. I can customize the menu template, but when the captured video clip is added to the menu, it's labeled as "Video 1". How & where do I edit the name or specify the name/title I want to use?

You can do this a couple of ways. You can double-click on the video clip in the timeline, which will select the clip name and change it, or you can double-click on the clip name in the menu to change it. Then finally you can right-click on the name in the menu and select Edit.

As far as your #1 question, I'm afraid that you will need to use the Start Project and then click on the camcorder icon (Capture Videos...) if you're wanting more control over your captures. This will allow you to start and stop the capture when you want.

[aldo12xu]

Thanks Vidoman for clearing that up. I'll play with it some more and will probably end up buying it, as it has so many more features than Nero.

Cheers,
Aldo.